October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Smack dab in the middle of the Big Red Machine era that saw the Cincinnati Reds finish first place in the NL West five times in seven years from 1970-1976, the 1973 team went 99-63 finishing three-and-half games in front of the second place Dodgers, but lost the NLCS to the surprising “Ya Gotta Believe Mets,” in a dramatic five-game series highlighted by Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson’s ballyhoo at second base during game three at Shea Stadium. Both PSA pre-certified Spalding ONL Feeney balls carry Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson’s signature on the sweet spot, and are signed in slightly fading blue ink. Other recognizable signatures on both balls include Cooperstown alumni: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez, as well as All-Stars like George Foster, Dave Concepcion, Cesar Geronimo, Bobby Tolan and hurlers Don Gullett, Jack Billingham, Clay Carroll, Fred Norman and Tom Hall, Pedro Borbon, Jim McGlothlin and coaches Ted Kluszewksi and George Scherger as well as role-players Bill Plummer, Joe Hague and Darrell Chaney. Both balls are caramel-color aged containing a total of 66 signatures (35 & 31) ranging in quality from a grade from 4 to 8, Anderson signature on one ball is scratched to a grade of 3.